MLX: Lasell downs Rivier in GNAC semifinal

NEWTON, Mass. – Freshman James Anderson (Medway, Mass.) and senior Ryan Madden (Hingham, Mass.) combined for 10 goals and two assists Tuesday afternoon as top-seeded Lasell College defeated fourth-seeded Rivier University, 17-10, in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) men's lacrosse tournament semifinal game at Grellier Field.

The Lasers extended their program-record win streak to 15, moving to a program-best 16-1 overall and advancing to the GNAC championship game for the third time in four seasons. Lasell will host second-seeded Norwich University (12-4) in the title match this Saturday at 2 p.m. at Grellier Field, after the Cadets knocked out defending champion and sixth-seeded Johnson & Wales University on Tuesday, 15-13. Rivier winds up its season at 12-4.

Anderson scored a game-high six goals while adding one assist, and Madden fired in four goals with one assist. Madden upped his season total to 47 goals, surpassing the Lasell single-season record of 44 set by Alex Zayac in 2005. Sophomores Colby Buccheri (Rowley, Mass.) and Andrew Fidalgo (Wilbraham, Mass.) added two goals apiece.

Freshman Tyler Rose (Springfield, Mass.) led the Laser defense with five caused turnovers and five ground balls, and classmate David Burke (Cohasset, Mass.) picked up a game-high eight ground balls. The Lasers had their streak of single-digit scoring by opponents snapped at 15.

Junior Ben Werner (Boxford, Mass.) dominated the face-offs for Lasell, winning 20-of-24.

Senior Rob Fullerton (Wilmington, Mass.) led the Raiders with three goals and one assist while sophomore Dylan McSparren (Warwick, R.I.) added two goals and one assist. Sophomore Jacob Enright (Dracut, Mass.) collected a team-high six ground balls and senior Jake Genest (Salem, N.H.) finished with four ground balls and three caused turnovers.

Lasell came out strong with four goals in the first eight minutes, including three in a row by Anderson. The Lasers were up 5-1 after the first frame before outscoring Rivier 4-2 in the second quarter to lead 9-3 at the break. The hosts extended their lead to 15-4 late in the third quarter before the Raiders made a fourth-quarter run to pull to within six goals (15-9), but Lasell proved too strong for the visitors.

Freshman Alex Beauchemin (Westfield, Mass.) made five saves in goal for Lasell. Senior Matt Cloutman (Peabody, Mass.) made 13 saves for Rivier.

Saturday's title game will be a rematch of the regular-season game at Norwich on April 6, which was won by the Lasers, 11-5. Lasell and Norwich shared the 2018 GNAC regular season title and both were upset by JWU in the tournament. Lasell won the 2017 championship, defeating Mount Ida College in the title game, 13-12.

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